Hitchin A Ride Safely, The Feline Edition

I have a few pet peeves..and truly, I mean pet peeves, about pets..

The staff at the clinic will confirm this as true. Hopefully they do it with a sincere smile of caring and not a roll of the eyes, sigh, and look of disgust and annoyance. I can't help it, I go a bit bananas over pet care..Every tiny little minute aspect of pet care...

One of my biggest pet peeves is transporting your pet to the vet..Well, I should broaden that, to transporting your pets, period.

This is a photo of my nephew Cody on his way to visit us. My sister takes great care in ensuring that her two children are safely secured in their correct sized and installed car seats. It is after all, the law. And, it is after all for their safety.

Cody, safely saddled up for the long trip to Aunt Krista's house.

But for pets, well, anything seems to go for pets. Back seat, front seat, back of the truck,,(ugh,,don't people understand that if it isn't safe to carry your kid in the back of the truck then it isn't safe for your pet?) it doesn't matter. There almost no laws for transporting pets. And why is that? Well, because we just don't seem to care as much about them? I hope not..

Animal Control Officer reports these idiots for towing their beagle in a carrier in 100 degree weather
mounted behind the exhaust pipe.

Because I cannot write the laws for safely transporting your pets, I try ever diligently (sometimes with intense paranoia and feverish nagging) to enforce some basic safe transport guidelines for the pets that enter our clinic.

Most clinics that you bring your pet into ask that you "Keep all pets on a leash or carrier."

(Just a little "vet" humor.)

Why do we request a leash or a carrier? Well, because we know that your pet is safest if they are tied to you, or contained safely in a pet carrier beside you.

In this blog I wanted to focus on transporting cats. Most people adhere to the leash laws for their dogs and arrive with their puppy on a leash, or in a small (usually decked out) fashionable purse-like bag. But few cats travel much outside of the vets office and therefore too many seem to be haphazardly carried, swathed, or managed.  I am not sure if it is for one reason or the other, but I see too many people show up at my office with their cat not safely or securely transported.

Why is this?

Issue Number 1;

People have trouble getting their cat in a carrier.
My answer; There are lots of easy things that you can do to help make this less frightening for your cat. First, never underestimate your kitties sense of smell and observation. A new piece of furniture is immediately noticed by them. Think about it, if you spent ALL of your life inside the four walls of your home and if you had a bionic nose you would notice a cat carrier as a quickly as if someone painted everything in your house in asphalt that smells like dog poop on your shoe..To trick your kitty into not noticing the carrier that will safely transport them to the vet take it out of the garage and leave it in the living room for at least a week. Integrate the carrier into the house and it won't appear as a foreign death trap.
To safely get your cat in the carrier you can gently and quietly put your cat in a pillow case and then lower her into the carrier. I prefer to tip the carrier so the the door is opened and facing up toward the sky. Lower your cat gently into the carrier, either safely in the pillow case, or holding the scruff with one hand and the buttocks with the other. If they cannot see the vessel they are being lowered into they are not as afraid and do not fight so dangerously.

Issue Number 2;

My cat stresses out in the car. Yes, your cat will likely stress out in the car. Your only choices here are to either never take her in the car (call a mobile vet for cat care), you de-sensitize your cat to traveling like you did your puppy by starting to take them everywhere, (yes, this is possible), or you just grin and bear it once or twice a year. To lessen the cries for help you can try the following; use a small fabric carrier, or put a blanket over the hard sided carrier. Your cat will feel safest in a small, dark space.

Issue Number 3;

My cat gets sick in the car. Yes, the stressful trip can cause your cat to toss her cookies, or poop in her cage. Be prepared for this. Don't stop the car, don't freak out, don't get into an accident, and don't open the carrier while you are either moving, driving, or unable to handle the mess that awaits. If you are on your way to the vet don't fret. We are used to cleaning up cat vomit and poop. In fact, we excel at it. Just walk in the clinic and ask for help in cleaning up your kitty once you are safely in the examination room.

Issue Number 4;

"I can't find the pet carrier." Or, "I don't have a pet carrier." Call your vet, call a friend, call a rescue, or go buy one. You really should always have one on hand. What would you do if you had a house fire? Or an emergency? Keep it accessible and a part of your pets emergency kit. (For advice on your pets emergency kit visit here).

Issue Number 5;

"My cat is so upset and stressed that she is a holy dangerous terror in the vet's office." This happens to even the sweetest, most loving house cats. They are the epitome of love and affection at home and the evil wrath of hissing, spitting, biting ferocity in the clinic. My advice, call a mobile vet, see if they are handle-able at home. Usually they are vicious and evil with restraint regardless of the location.

Here are some of my favorite cat carriers;

Easy to open front door. Safe to travel in, hard sided, lots of light and easy to get your kitty into and out of.

This kitty is leash trained. He loves to go on walks and is much less apprehensive and fearful at our office simply because he has been exposed to the great outdoors often.

And best yet, he arrived in a very safe, easily accessible carrier, with his harness and leash on!

The ultimate in cat transport. A rolling cat carrier! Easy on the back, allows a picturesque view of the roads traveled, and the ultimate in comfort and portability.

For those larger cats, a top opening carrier allows for easy, safe entry and exit. Also the easiest carrier for cats who are timid and shy. We can open the top put a towel on them and remove them within the peaceful safety of a soft blanket.

I received this question recently on this topic...Do you have any advice to offer a pet parent concerned about traveling with their cat? If so, please join us at Pawbly.com

Hello Lydia,

Great question! Many of us who travel with our pets know the stress that carrying a screaming, fearful cat causes on all of us. As Dr. Chambreau said, fear/anxiety crying is different that vocal nausea. So, as long as your cat is not vocalizing and then vomiting (there are some very good medicines for this), then here is what I do:

Keep you cat in a small sturdy plastic cat carrier..I like the ones with the wire door at the top (easier to get your cat in and out of it), and 

place lots and lots of shredded newspaper in the bottom, so your cat can hide in it, and it makes for easy clean up should they vomit, urinate, or defecate. (Keep extra newspaper with you for bedding changes).

Place a blanket or towel over the entire cage once you put the cat inside. Keep them covered for the entire trip.

Resist the urge to talk to them,,for us we think we are re-assuring them, but for your cat she thinks you are taunting her with your replies that continue to not alleviate their dilemma. You might be saying, "It's alright Fluffy, we will be there soon." But they hear, "I'm keeping you in that cage no matter how much you cry and complain about it."

Cats feel more secure and calm in small dark, quiet places to hide when they are afraid, so make the carrier a place like this.

Also, remember to never let the cat out of the carrier, or even open the carrier until you are at your final destination, (and even this should only be done if your cat is used to the new place already). If you have to open the carrier en route, stay in the car, close the doors and windows and that way if your cat gets out of the cage she can't escape from the car. Cats will run and flee if they are afraid.

I hope this helps.

Safe travels,

If you have a pet question you can ask the community at Pawbly for free.Or, you can contribute your own ideas, thoughts, and suggestions to help others. Pawbly is the social media platform built to help people take better care of their pets.

Or find me in person at Jarrettsville Vet, or on Twitter @FreePetAdvice.

Readers's Digest May 2012, Vet Secret's

This is part 8 of the May 2012 article from the Reader's Digest, titled, "50 Secret's Your Vet Won't Tell You" by Michelle Crouch.

This section is called "What You Can Do."

Secret 44

"Yes, dog whisperer Cesar Millan has turned some aggressive dogs around, but-please-don't train your dog that way. Using aggressive tactics can cause serious behavior problems and may not be effective." A vet in Cal.

OK, here I go again being completely honest and knowing that some people, (my staff in particular), are not going to agree, or like, what I am about to say.

On the subject of Cesar Millan, he is viewed as a god-like entity at our practice. We actually have pictures of Cesar, I call them "little Cesar's," posted all over the place with hearts and sticky notes that read things like, "Tracy, you are my reason....," or "Cesar loves Micheley." He is our heart-throb poster pin-up boy. My staff has watched every episode, emulates every action, and I often find them huddled together swapping notes on a behavior case and using words like, "Well, I think Cesar would..." I have no place to supersede him, and his popularity has allowed many dogs to be seen as salvageable, and given many a four-legged (pit bull especially) a second, or third, or even fourth chance. I have seen his magic happen on his TV series and in my own clinic. BUT, I do think that the best way to train a dog is with kindness, respect, and patience. I don't necessarily adhere to the whole"pack mentality" behavior modification treatment plan. I think that overwhelmingly many of these dogs are mis-understood and we as humans are not trying to comprehend what they are trying to tell us. So if I have to pick a trainer to follow I would say I am a Victoria Stilwell follower, more than A Cesar follower. (Sorry guys).

My best advice is to get help for your dog if you even remotely think there might be a problem. I have found that many people disregard my advice when I tell them that I think their dog needs some behavior modification training. I think it is partly defensive on their part, and partly they excuse bad behavior by dismissing the vet staffs opinion because they think being afraid (or aggressive) at the vets is understandable.

I expect pets to be somewhat tentative in our office, but full blown snarling, and needing a muzzle is a big red flag in your face that your pet has some obedience issues.

Dismissing our recommendation because your pet is "never away from your home," and/or "never acts this way at home," is setting you both up for disaster down the road. Behavior problems, fears, anxieties, and aggression of any kind ALWAYS gets worse with time. So please address and deal with it the first moment you think there might be an issue.

Secret 45

"A lot of pet medications are available at human pharmacies  for lower prices than we charge. Walgreens even has a list of veterinary medicines for $4 per one-month dose. These are medicines that you would pay $20 to $30 for at your vet." Mei Mei Welker, DVM

This is true. We cannot compete with Wal-Mart, Walgreens, etc. We cannot in many cases even buy the product as cheaply as these big guys sell them for. But, that being said, you must understand that your veterinarian is trying to make their own businesses ends meet. And we are a business. If we reduced our prices for pharmacy items to match Walgreens (not that I even think this is possible without severely undercutting what we pay for them), we will have to increase prices elsewhere. I am not proposing that you do not inquire about your options, and we all understand that we are all on a budget, but please try not to be upset when you hear or see of a price difference. There is simply no way we could ever compete with these global super stores.


Secret 46

"Want to exercise your cat without getting off the couch? Get one of those little laser beams." Albert Ahn, DVM, a vet in Short Hills New Jersey

Cats love to chase a laser beam. They are widely available, cheap to buy, and will get your cat up, running, and stalking/hunting that ever elusive red light for hours. I fear that someday we will need psychotherapy for laser beam obsession?


Secret 47

"I know you mean well when you vigorously lather your dog with shampoo and then vigorously rub him dry with the towel, but that can jam hairs under the skin like little splinters and cause horrible infections that are very painful. It's especially a problem for short-coated dogs like Weimaraners, Boston terriers, pugs, Labs, and boxers." Nadine Znajda, DVM, a vet with BluePearl Veterinary Partners in Tampa, Fla

I have not seen this happen, but it certainly can, and I bet it does. Please treat your pet the way you would like to be treated. If you think rubbing a towel hard enough to drive hair into your skin would be painful for you, it is painful for your pup.


Secret 48

"If the plaque sprays and dental water additives actually worked, none of us would be telling you to brush your pet's teeth." Dennis Leon, DVM

OK, think of it this way. Do you think that drinking mouthwash, or spraying mouthwash on your teeth would make your teeth feel as fresh and clean as a good brushing? Nope, it won't. Nothing even comes close (not even a tiny bit) to being as effective as brushing those teeth. And, just so we are all clear they need to be done at least 4 times a week.

I had a client last night who told me that she used to brush her dogs teeth, but gave it up a year ago, because she had replaced the daily brushing with daily Denta-Stixs. Unfortunately, the teeth were horrible and her dogs are now obese. So she only got a fat dog with still bad teeth. Not to mention how much money she sank into Denta-Stix?


Secret 49


"Take your cat to the vet in a plastic cat carrier with a removable top, and have your vet remove the lid for the exam. Your pet will feel more secure and be less likely to fight or flee." Mei Mei Welker, DVM

In the last ten years pet carriers have evolved significantly to be safer and easier to load an unload
your pets. For cats, I like the plastic clam shell carriers with the metal grate top that allows you to lower your pet into it, and also for us to open the hatch, and lift them out of it. Nothing is worse than having to stick your arm into a carrier where the cat is hiding and crouched into the tiniest ball in the deepest bowels of its carrier, giving you that low humm-growl that seems to crescendo as your arm plunges deeper. I usually opt out of the extracting unknown angry feline from said dark and safe carrier and opt for the try to dump now hissing and spitting cat onto the exam table instead. But in most cases these guys are also able to use their spideyman claws to cling to a seemingly ungrippable surface and hang upside down from inside of their carrier.

Worst of all are the owners (no doubt trying to instill "calm" (but we all know this ain't gonna happen, your upset cat will NEVER listen to reason)) tries to remove their cat from its' carrier and gets mauled. It has happened to us all. We really don't want you to get hurt in our hospital, and we really do believe you when you protest "that Fluffy is an absolutely delight fully affectionate cat outside of our office."

Your cat will be happiest with a crate you can lower them into, close them securely inside of, and then place a sheet or towel on top of. The carrier should only be about twice the size of your pet and no more. They actually feel safer in dark, quiet, claustrophobic places. That's why they run and hide in a tiny corner of your closet when they get scared. The quieter and darker that carrier; is the calmer they are.

And during that car ride to our office I would suggest that you keep the radio off, don't talk to them, and for god sakes NEVER EVER open the carrier. Your cat can flee to under your brake pedal after thrashing your face to bits in the frenzy to find cover and then neither one of you is going to arrive safely.

Lastly, if your pet has made hamburger meat out of some veterinary staffs arm already in the past, please give us a little heads up before we approach your pet. I always say "thanks for the advance notice," when an owner confesses to me that their pet isn't their usual collected self in our office.

On the subject of willing patients; I have a few patients who are much easier to examine when their owners are not present. I have a few German Shepherd's, Rotties, and Dobermans who are so protective of their owners that I always ask them to leave examination room after passing the leash to me on the way out. It seems once their owners step out of the room they don't feel that they have to protect anyone so they settle down. Either that, or these guys think that they can get away with bad manners in front of their owners and quickly realize we won't allow the rude snarling here. We are never ever mean or harsh, but we are always
stern, direct, and very observant. We have been trained to recognize fear, insecurity, anxiety, etc, and we know that these are likely to turn into aggression, so we are prepared at all times for it.


Secret 50

"If you live in a one-bedroom apartment with no patio and minimal space, and you're gone ten hours a day at your job, a 100-pound Great Dane may not be the best choice for you? Maybe start with a goldfish?" Amber Anderson, DVM

OK, a very big dog, does need more room than a very small dog, granted. BUT, a Great Dane is actually a pretty calm laid back breed of dog. I think it is crazy to get a border collie unless you live on a farm, or run 4 miles, or more, a day. I also think that a Lab, or anything with an -oodle on the end of their name has a very high energy need. So apartment dwellers out there try a cat, a small (mute) bird, turtle, reptile, etc. For those of you with yards and the ability to play for hours with your dog something middle sized is better.

As a good rule when you visit to adopt your pet; pay attention to how fast their tail is wagging. The slow waggers are often the quietest, the tails that you cannot identify other then as a flash of fur need a farm a job, and you will be expected to keep them exercised to the point of them being worn out, (so they sleep) when they get home. If you are finding that your walk or play time ends with him still in the house jumping, barking, chewing, chasing, tugging, etc, head back outside because your work isn't done yet. A quiet, tired puppy is a happy puppy!